Trump Family Could Face Depositions in $10 Billion BBC Suit as Judge Weighs Narrower Complaint
Updated
Updated · Newsweek · Aug 8
Trump Family Could Face Depositions in $10 Billion BBC Suit as Judge Weighs Narrower Complaint
2 articles · Updated · Newsweek · Aug 8
Summary
Trump family members could still be deposed and ordered to hand over communications in the president’s $10 billion lawsuit against the BBC, legal experts told Newsweek, even if he limits discovery into his business records.
Judge Roy Altman has temporarily paused production of Trump family trust financial records while he considers a sealed amended complaint that would narrow the case from business and brand damage to reputational harm alone.
That pause followed a July 27 ruling that Trump put his finances at issue by alleging economic injury; the BBC says it needs trust records to test whether the documentary actually hurt his businesses.
Experts said relatives could remain fair game as nonparty witnesses if they hold information on Trump’s claimed damages or on the truth or falsity of the BBC’s edited January 6 documentary portrayal.
Trump sued in December 2025 over a Panorama episode that spliced parts of his 2021 speech; the BBC apologized for the edit but denies defamation and is seeking dismissal.